Thursday, January 31, 2013

Small Stone: January 31, 2013



No deep, pensive observations today.
As we come to the end of our January
mindful writing community, it seems
appropriate to walk hand in hand toward
the next challenge. Thanks to everyone
for all your great posts and for visiting
with me here. Until we meet again….
the Sunday group? I plan to keep "mindful"
at least once a week. Hope we can all
hang out together in 2013.


Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Small Stone: January 30, 2013



The January Small Stones project is coming to an end tomorrow.
Looking back over my daily “stones”, I am struck by how
often my observations become a reflection of my
own inner processes, questions and even turmoil.
I truly question if this is ego or an attempt to really
connect with my environment, the people I encounter
and the joys and sadness of the world I inhabit. 
More to be learned.



This photo was taken today at the Martin Luther King memorial in San Francisco. A place for thoughtful remembrance and reflection. Bright sun, afternoon shadows and reflection.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Small Stone: January 29, 2013



“A fertile bedlam prevails”
a quote from a review of an exhibit
of surrealist drawings in NYC.

Kind of nice to think about
what there is to gain in the uproar.

A goal for this week will be to find
a fertile moment in topsy-turvydom.
(that is a real word) 





The photo isn’t from today, sadly. But, from a fine outing to the San Francisco Zoo recently. Seemed to represent topsy-turvy.
 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Small Stone: January 28, 2013



Today: I saw a lovely child exploring her world out the bus window. It made me think of the excitement of discovery. I saw a gorgeous young couple. It made me aware of youthful vitality. I saw a fast-striding businessman and I connected with the thrill of success. I saw a white-haired woman carefully choosing oranges and thought of how age allows us to be selective.

Sweet child. Sexy youth. Successful exec. Serenity in aging.

Do any of those have anything to do with the individual at that particular moment? What was their actual experience? Even close to my immediate perception?

As I reflect on the day, I am aware that all of those observations were tinged with a judgment on my part, not wholly in the moment and formed somewhere in my past.




The photo is a first leaf daring to break out of winter against a south-facing wall around the corner.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Small Stone: January 27, 2013




Somewhere in life, I learned
how to make a civil smile.

Yesterday, I exchanged
friendly, reserved, very polite smiles
with a pleasant woman
as we passed on my street.

Then, down the block a child hit me
with an unlearned smile.




The photo is of my great-grand nephew, Luke, on 
another wonderful occasion. His bright, fresh smile─
spontaneous in most children.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Small Stone: January 26, 2013



Tonight is Wolf Moon.
A search on the web tells me
to emulate my ancestors and take refuge
in my home…stay close to the fire on this dark
winter night as the winds and the wolves
howl outside.

OK!


Friday, January 25, 2013

Small Stone: January 25, 2013



Mid-winter: a time of recollection
or even collection, perhaps.
Evaluate, keep or discard.
Not Spring cleaning…
more a letting go.
Once joyful affections,
memories, beliefs
dusty with lack of care,
just fall away.

Winter, by the calendar,
is one-third over. The days
are warm here, some say
a false-Spring. It seems real.


 The photo is just a mood shot...seemed about right for today.